Topic: Cleaning a Zero Image???

[astrobeck]

After using my Zero Image 2000 for the past three years, the shutter is a bit sluggish or maybe even sticky due to dirt, etc. working itself under it.
It doesn't slide smoothly anymore and kinda drags across the front of the camera.  It doesn't leave scratches on the face of the camera, so the grit/grime is not too bad, it's just not smooth. 
 
My question is, Can I take those two screws out of the front to remove the shutter to clean the surfaces, or what should I do to make the shutter slide smoothly again??
I'm taking this camera on a road trip in a week or so, and would like it working better than it does.

Thanks!!!   
Becky

[Paul Mitchell]

Hi Becky

Yes, I would just ease the two front screws until the shutter is loose then gradually tighten until you gain the right amount of friction drag again. Alternatively you could also soak a cotton bud with a small amount of silicon spray and dab the moving parts. A word of caution though... as I have never suffered from this problem on any of my 02K's I haven't tried any of the above but would be the first two things I would try. I often use my camera's down on the coast were everything is prone to salt spray but always remember to wipe them down with a damp sponge on my return. At the end of the day the mechanics are so simple that you'd be very unlucky if you were to damage anything.

Paul

[sapata]

Few drops of lighter fluid (ronsonol) might help without having to dismantle, it worked with several other cameras I own... it might works with yours

[astrobeck]

Thanks guys!
I wipe my camera clean after each use too, but yesterday when I was using it to photograph some maple leaves, I think dirt or maybe sap may have gotten under that shutter when I was using it on the ground.
Anyway---

Here's what I wound up doing:
I took the shutter off.
But first I noted the position of the slot of each screw so I could re-assemble it just like it was prior to taking apart.
Next I noted how many turns it took to get each one of the screws off the camera.
In my case, the tension screw was 3 full turns and the holding screw was 4 full turns.
Then,
I put _one_ drop of "Murphy's Oil soap" (mild vegetable based soap) in a 1/4 cup of warm water and swished it around until it was thoroughly mixed.
Then I dipped a cotton bud in the mixture and gently wiped the surfaces.  No gunk came off, but even better the nice finish on the wood didn't come off either!

After re-asembly the shutter does work better,    but I think the real issue is that some of the gloss finish has worn off the shutter just below the screws and is what is causing the small amount of drag that I still have.  It's not too bad, and still very usable, but it's not like it was when it was new.

I'm going to contact Zero Image and see if they will send me a replacement shutter.
Thanks again for the tips!
Becky

[Paul Mitchell]

You might want to spend a bit extra and get the cable release shutter Becky. I bought one and is very easy to fit, it also makes exposing so much easier with a cable release.

[Ed Wenn]

My only contribution to this thread is to say that with Zero Pinhole cams you need to make sure your cable release (and here's where I might lose you with technical jargon)...is one where 'the sticky out bit' which appears when you press the shutter release at the end of the cable, is really long. For my first few goes round with the Zero I used a cable release which came with my Kiev 60 and it didn't fully open the Zero's shutter. Of course, it took me about 3 films to work this out because I am a total idiot and had no idea why one corner of each image was black. I then went and bought a cable release and now all is well 

Cue jokes about penetration and size mattering after all. 

[Francois]

Nope, I'm going to restrain myself from commenting on this one... I'll leave that to others who's nick I won't mention

[astrobeck]

I contacted Zernike Au of Zero Image and explained my issue with the shutter. 
He immediately replied and asked that I send him a photo of my camera, which I did, then he replied back that I should just put a bit of oil or grease on it to make it smooth again.
He also suggested slightly loosening the tension screw, which I had already done.

I'm going to put a teeny dab of oil on the shutter and see what happens or maybe some furniture wax.   I'm 'anxious' about using oil or grease since that seems that it might get in the pinhole and introduce a problem I don't have!
Also, I'm thinking of buying the cable release for it.....

Thanks for everyone's input!
 

To be continued....

[Francois]

Just put a drop at the right spot, not more than needed. It's easier to add oil than to remove the excess.